Polio outbreak breaks 14 year old record in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Eight new polio cases in Pakistan took the total reported cases of the disease to 202, breaking its own 14 year record, ARY News reported.

The new polio cases have been confirmed in Mardan, Peshawar, Nowshehra and Tank in K-P. Cases were also reported from Khyber Agency and South Waziristan in Fata. One case was confirmed from Qasim Town in Karachi and one from Quetta.

This year 135 polio cases have been confirmed from FATA, 40 from KPK, 19 from Sindh, Six from Balochistan and two from Punjab.

Karachi is among the worst hit cities of Sindh province with 17 confirmed cases. Gadap, Orangi, Landhi and Baldia town are considered most sensitive areas of Karachi city in prevalence of polio cases.

Security issue and refusal by parents are main obstructions faced by the polio workers in the country.

Pakistan already faces travel restrictions. Earlier this year, World Health Organization (WHO) had recommended making administration of polio vaccination a must for those traveling abroad.